This website is pretty neat. It tells you what song was number 1 on the day you were born, or the day your kid was born, or the day you got married...you get the idea.
Here is the rundown for our family:
My birthday - Feb 19, 1979
Rod Stewart "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
KC's birthday - August 21, 1979
The Knack "My Sharona"
Sam's birthday - December 3, 2007
Alicia Keys "No One"
Our anniversary - July 4, 2004
Fantasia "I Believe"
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Hitting the Bottle
First, let me start off by saying that I know sharing parenting opinion/criticisms is a touchy topic to write about. Especially since I had SO many preconceived notions of what I would and wouldn't do as a parent. As my mom has said numerous times to me "You are the best parent in the world until you have kids". Feeding is an especially is a tough topic and what works for one person may not work for another. (Nursing versus formula is one of the first things on my "Things to NOT discuss if ever invited to a dinner party" list. I told you I have lists for everything.) OK, with that said I'll get to my question.
1.) When should a baby put down the bottle and pick up the sippy cup? I mean put down the bottle for good. Sam already drinks out of a sippy cup with meals but takes 2 bottles during the day at Emily's.
I am not OK with seeing this a few years from now. In my opinion she is one of the best dressed babies but the bottle she totes everywhere certainly knocks her down a few pegs.
1.) When should a baby put down the bottle and pick up the sippy cup? I mean put down the bottle for good. Sam already drinks out of a sippy cup with meals but takes 2 bottles during the day at Emily's.
I am not OK with seeing this a few years from now. In my opinion she is one of the best dressed babies but the bottle she totes everywhere certainly knocks her down a few pegs.
Of course, now that I have shared my distaste for the bottle at 2+ years Sam will surely be drinking out of one on her way to nursery school.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Battaglia a Fasciatoio
Otherwise known as Battle at Changing Table. We now fight this battle on a daily basis. I curse the day I chose a changing table with a lip on the back. Her little hand fits just perfect and she can turn over in a second. I have learned a nice distraction tactic though. As soon as her butt hits the table I hand her a tube (lotion, butt cream, whatever) and she will usually occupy her self with that while I do the dirty work. Sometimes she just wants to flip over though.
She's screaming in the beginning because I had just flipped her over, off of her stomach. Funny how fast she goes from a screaming demon to happy, smiley baby. Are we in for it or what?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Pool Time
This weekend we got out our new baby pool and tried it out for the first time. We had not had the pleasure of hanging out in a baby pool, splashing, and chasing large cups around the pool all summer. Mostly because it has been so freaking hot that the only time even a baby pool would be appropriate would be at 9 in the morning. And I work, so that's out. Thankfully we live in Texas so a baby pool may get use well into October. (Being from the northeast where October meant pants or tights on under your princess costume on Halloween it gives me great pleasure to know that we will be sweating in October - and maybe even November - yippee!)
But back to the topic at hand. Why is she only wearing a swim diaper in the first 2 pictures? Murphy's Law - we figured the pool is pretty much in the shade we don't need to bother with a top; just sunscreen and a swim diaper will be fine. Of course, where is the only place Sam wants to play? the sunny spot. The 25% of the pool in the sun - that's where. So inside I went to get the top to a bathing suit. And then where did she play? The shady part of the pool. sigh.
Look Ma! I'm standing!
Splashing some water right up into her face. She was both irritated and amazed by this.
When those little dagger teeth started to take chunks out of the Sonic cup we switched it for a plastic one. Which she proceeded to drink out of inadvertently.
Again, touching everything with just one finger. She had a lot of trouble keeping just one finger on the slippery side of a pool. 
this was the point when we thinking how incredibly lucky we are to have Sam in our lives. (I was thinking how lucky I am to have both of them.)
But back to the topic at hand. Why is she only wearing a swim diaper in the first 2 pictures? Murphy's Law - we figured the pool is pretty much in the shade we don't need to bother with a top; just sunscreen and a swim diaper will be fine. Of course, where is the only place Sam wants to play? the sunny spot. The 25% of the pool in the sun - that's where. So inside I went to get the top to a bathing suit. And then where did she play? The shady part of the pool. sigh.
Maybe we want to sit down. Maybe we don't.
Look Ma! I'm standing! 
Splashing some water right up into her face. She was both irritated and amazed by this.No, we are not white trash. It just looks like that because our kid is playing with a Styrofoam cup in the pool. But she loves it and it floats. Plus she was waaay more interested in the Styrofoam cup than the toy monkey that she brought with her. (yep, a bath toy)
I think she looks like a drunk cheerleader in this one. A cheerleader that can not figure out which way her microphone should go.
When those little dagger teeth started to take chunks out of the Sonic cup we switched it for a plastic one. Which she proceeded to drink out of inadvertently. 
And that resulted in this face. We called this her "how could you not tell me that was going to happen?" face.
But then we did it again and again so I guess it didn't bother her that much.
Now playing shy baby - "oh were you looking for this cup? this cup? Nope, no cup here."
She had a little trouble using the side (of an inflatable pool!!!) to stand up. So we decorated with a little grass on our face for a while.
"I wonder if they would notice if I just took off? I bet I could make it to the fence..."
Again, touching everything with just one finger. She had a lot of trouble keeping just one finger on the slippery side of a pool. 
And then we really took a tumble. She was fine after this but not as excited to get back in the pool. I think she was a little cold by now. (Because it was only 90 degrees out, not 100)
After pool time. Snuggles with Dad.
I love this picture. I think it captures how much fun she is. And the open mouth smile just melts my heart every time.
this was the point when we thinking how incredibly lucky we are to have Sam in our lives. (I was thinking how lucky I am to have both of them.)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Auntie Kara goes virtual!
Well, we have another blogger in the family. Auntie Kara has started a blog about her adventures as a teacher in Houston with the Teach For America program.
I have 2 sisters who share the same mom and dad as I do. There are also 3 step sisters and one half brother but that's a story for a whole different blog. Out of the three of us Kara is the baby. She is also the one with the biggest heart. She volunteered in high school, not because it would make her college applications look good but because she felt like she should. (Although it did make her college applications look good and she got into a kick butt college.) In college she got amazing grades and could have scored a summer internship at any PR firm in Dallas but she went to work for a non profit. And after graduating with a seriously impressive college record (ridiculous grades, more volunteering, Panhelanic positions galore) she decided to work for Teach For America. Teach For America is a program that takes some of the brightest college grads, trains them in an excruciating summer program, and then places them in some of the worst school districts in the country. Just to give you an idea of how selective this program is - in 2008 18,000 people applied and 2,900 were accepted. She has faced some crazy challenges since starting last year. After being trained in kindergarten she was placed as a 6th grade English teacher. She spent 6 weeks getting her bearings, learning her kids names, and making lesson plans. And then on a Friday afternoon her principal mentioned that she was being transferred to 8th grade reading on Monday! Some of the things she has seen completely blow my mind. Kids that drove themselves to 8th grade registration, no books for the kids, books that they do have the kids aren't allowed to take home, lots of Katrina survivors; things that you just don't really think about until your sister is telling you that about half of her class couldn't even come up with the name of one college because they had no hopes of ever going. Or how when one girl got pregnant the little girls in her class couldn't get over how cute her school uniform looked with her belly. Are you questioning the effectiveness of a teacher trained over a summer and then tossed into some of the most challenging classrooms in the country? Read this. (Is it really obvious how proud I am of her? She was just asked to speak at a fundraiser becuse her test scores last year for her classes were THAT good. Yea Bear!)
I know this is a baby blog. So how does this relate to Sam? There are things that I hope she will learn from all of the people in her life. From Kara - I hope that she sees what a difference one person can make.
I have 2 sisters who share the same mom and dad as I do. There are also 3 step sisters and one half brother but that's a story for a whole different blog. Out of the three of us Kara is the baby. She is also the one with the biggest heart. She volunteered in high school, not because it would make her college applications look good but because she felt like she should. (Although it did make her college applications look good and she got into a kick butt college.) In college she got amazing grades and could have scored a summer internship at any PR firm in Dallas but she went to work for a non profit. And after graduating with a seriously impressive college record (ridiculous grades, more volunteering, Panhelanic positions galore) she decided to work for Teach For America. Teach For America is a program that takes some of the brightest college grads, trains them in an excruciating summer program, and then places them in some of the worst school districts in the country. Just to give you an idea of how selective this program is - in 2008 18,000 people applied and 2,900 were accepted. She has faced some crazy challenges since starting last year. After being trained in kindergarten she was placed as a 6th grade English teacher. She spent 6 weeks getting her bearings, learning her kids names, and making lesson plans. And then on a Friday afternoon her principal mentioned that she was being transferred to 8th grade reading on Monday! Some of the things she has seen completely blow my mind. Kids that drove themselves to 8th grade registration, no books for the kids, books that they do have the kids aren't allowed to take home, lots of Katrina survivors; things that you just don't really think about until your sister is telling you that about half of her class couldn't even come up with the name of one college because they had no hopes of ever going. Or how when one girl got pregnant the little girls in her class couldn't get over how cute her school uniform looked with her belly. Are you questioning the effectiveness of a teacher trained over a summer and then tossed into some of the most challenging classrooms in the country? Read this. (Is it really obvious how proud I am of her? She was just asked to speak at a fundraiser becuse her test scores last year for her classes were THAT good. Yea Bear!)
I know this is a baby blog. So how does this relate to Sam? There are things that I hope she will learn from all of the people in her life. From Kara - I hope that she sees what a difference one person can make.
Auntie Kara and Sam (almost a week old)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Week In Review
It was a pretty fun week in our house. We celebrated Dad's birthday twice - once at home (where the icing tasting took place) and once at a restaurant. I used to look at the restaurant floor after people with kids left and think "oh my, how did they make such a mess? And not clean up after themselves? tsk. tsk. tsk." How things change. I am amazed at the mess she can make with just a few Cheerios's and a piece zwieback toast. I felt terrible but unless I am going to carry a vacuum with me there really isn't much I can do about it. And there is NO WAY I am carrying one more thing. I feel like a bag lady as it is.
Watching her face change as she tasted the icing was hysterical. She went from "what the heck is this?" to " More, please" in no time at all.
The hardest thing right now is keeping up with her. If I turn my back for a second she's off. And she always seems to be headed for whatever it is that she can't play with - an outlet without a baby proof cover (changing that ASAP), a wire, and we discovered the dog bowls (say it with me - EWWWW!!!). Thank god she forgot about the dog bowls after we left the kitchen and hasn't "re-discovered" them yet. I am considering getting a little bell for her to wear around her wrist so that I can hear what direction she is heading at all times. The next time someone comes to visit don't be surprised with rubber, padded walls, pillows on the floor and nothing else.
Watching her face change as she tasted the icing was hysterical. She went from "what the heck is this?" to " More, please" in no time at all.
The hardest thing right now is keeping up with her. If I turn my back for a second she's off. And she always seems to be headed for whatever it is that she can't play with - an outlet without a baby proof cover (changing that ASAP), a wire, and we discovered the dog bowls (say it with me - EWWWW!!!). Thank god she forgot about the dog bowls after we left the kitchen and hasn't "re-discovered" them yet. I am considering getting a little bell for her to wear around her wrist so that I can hear what direction she is heading at all times. The next time someone comes to visit don't be surprised with rubber, padded walls, pillows on the floor and nothing else.
Our first taste of butter cream icing
Not sure what to make of this but it might be a good thing....
Ahh, she did get a sweet tooth from her dad
KC and Sam occupying themselves at Target while Mom was in the fitting room
She is always such a good baby at Target. I think she might love it as much as her mom.
Dad's birthday dinner with Auntie Dev
Just enjoying some zwieback toast. Does anyone else bribe their kid with food already? I think half the time she doesn't even really eat it. She just plays with it.
She will try to climb anything - including the kitchen cabinets.
Note the brush in the background. We carried it everywhere this weekend. Maybe she won't have a lovey, just a $3 brush from Babies R Us.
This is also her favorite thing. Everything has to be touched with one finger. EVERYTHING - Grandma's nails, the side of the pool, the bed frame, Cheerios's...
Monday, August 25, 2008
One Click
In March of 2002 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully it was caught early and after a lumpectomy, radiation, and chemo she went into remission.
Although early detection is the best way to survive this disease over 13 million women over the age of 40 in the US have NEVER had a mammogram. You'll notice a new little box on the right hand side. If you click on it you will help fund free mammograms. (I know, one more thing to put on the never ending list of things to do, but this is painless and takes only a second!)
Although early detection is the best way to survive this disease over 13 million women over the age of 40 in the US have NEVER had a mammogram. You'll notice a new little box on the right hand side. If you click on it you will help fund free mammograms. (I know, one more thing to put on the never ending list of things to do, but this is painless and takes only a second!)
Sam & Mom-Mom
Sunday, August 24, 2008
This is how we roll
I'm not even sure that this picture or blog title needs anything else. Other than you should know that she sits like this a lot. And the best part is that she usually has her foot resting on the handle. Refer back to this post - see the foot.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Swingtown
Nope, it's not what you were thinking. And by what you were thinking I mean a post about that new show Swingtown on NBC. But I could write a post about that show because I LOVE IT! 70's songs, stereotypes and all. But back to the baby blog this is supposed to be...
Last weekend we headed to a playground in the neighborhood that is attached to ours. Sam had never been on a swing before (she also hadn't broke any laws before but I'll get to that) and she LOVED it!!! We arrived about 7:30 in the morning on Saturday so there weren't too many people stirring, just a few dog walkers and some joggers. After settling in we started swinging. A little shaky at first and a look of "I'm not really sure what is happening. This is how I feel after one too many margarita's but it's too early for tequila..." (Just kidding. She is not allowed to drink margarita's or tequila...yet.) As long as I made sure I was right in front of her almost face to face she was fine. After a few minutes she really started to enjoy it - legs kicking and all.
Back to the law breaking, the neighborhood we were in is a fancy pants neighborhood. By fancy pants I mean they have an HOA and let you know that you are a trespasser just for stepping foot on their playground. I am kind of a wuss so the whole time we are swinging I am thinking "oh wow, I hope no one says anything to us. It's so early no one will be here. And really, since no one else is here it's not like I am kicking some deserving kid whose parents pay for the HOA off the swings." All of these thoughts and more ran through my mind as I am pushing Sam. We did make it out of there without incident and even returned on Sunday morning with Dad. The funny part? When I talked to Jill she told me that the playground that is about 100 yards past the one we went to (an at least twice as big) is a city playground so no one can yell at you. But she also said that the first time she took Claire to the playground they went to the neighborhood one and she was thinking the same thing "please don't let me get caught. please don't let me get caught."
When we took Dad with us on Sunday morning we even tried out the slide (note to self - skirts are no conducive to sliding) and the ladder on the side of the playground. Both were hits.
As soon as the rain stops and it isn't hot and disgustingly muggy out we will head back to the swings. The swings we are allowed to use.
Last weekend we headed to a playground in the neighborhood that is attached to ours. Sam had never been on a swing before (she also hadn't broke any laws before but I'll get to that) and she LOVED it!!! We arrived about 7:30 in the morning on Saturday so there weren't too many people stirring, just a few dog walkers and some joggers. After settling in we started swinging. A little shaky at first and a look of "I'm not really sure what is happening. This is how I feel after one too many margarita's but it's too early for tequila..." (Just kidding. She is not allowed to drink margarita's or tequila...yet.) As long as I made sure I was right in front of her almost face to face she was fine. After a few minutes she really started to enjoy it - legs kicking and all.
Back to the law breaking, the neighborhood we were in is a fancy pants neighborhood. By fancy pants I mean they have an HOA and let you know that you are a trespasser just for stepping foot on their playground. I am kind of a wuss so the whole time we are swinging I am thinking "oh wow, I hope no one says anything to us. It's so early no one will be here. And really, since no one else is here it's not like I am kicking some deserving kid whose parents pay for the HOA off the swings." All of these thoughts and more ran through my mind as I am pushing Sam. We did make it out of there without incident and even returned on Sunday morning with Dad. The funny part? When I talked to Jill she told me that the playground that is about 100 yards past the one we went to (an at least twice as big) is a city playground so no one can yell at you. But she also said that the first time she took Claire to the playground they went to the neighborhood one and she was thinking the same thing "please don't let me get caught. please don't let me get caught."
When we took Dad with us on Sunday morning we even tried out the slide (note to self - skirts are no conducive to sliding) and the ladder on the side of the playground. Both were hits.
As soon as the rain stops and it isn't hot and disgustingly muggy out we will head back to the swings. The swings we are allowed to use.
Sorry about the quality of the pictures. All of the semi-cute photos are from Sunday - when I forgot my camera. Of course.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Playing Catch Up
I wanted to post some pictures from this past week before we got into birthday celebrations and other things that I am sure I will want to capture with my camera and then post online so ensure Sam will be sufficiently embarrassed in future years.
See the brush she is dragging around? It's our new favorite thing. Between the brush and the shampoo bottle I have no idea why we buy toys. Question for other parents - she loves the thing so much that some of the paint is coming off when she gnaws on it. How do I find out if the paint is toxic? I am nervous to assume that it's fine since nothing seems to be 'fine" anymore.
Future bobbing for Apples champion. This time did not result in a trophy though. It resulted in a face full of soap that she wasn't sure she liked. But we did it again. And again. And again.
Just loving on the shampoo bottle.
See Mom, I have a goatee like Dad.
"Why are you bugging me and why the heck did you bring that camera in the bathroom? Don't you know camera's have NO place in the bathroom?"
Thanking Raja Bell for getting her dog hair all over the baby blanket.
Just a cute picture I couldn't resist including
This is why I am thankful we put corner covers on the table. So Sam could chew on them. And it just occurred to me a I type this that I have no idea what they are made out of and if they are safe for a baby to chew on. Something else on the to do list.
Not only does she want to do this all the time. She thinks it is hysterical. Which of course cracks us up. So there we all are - laughing at a baby chewing on a table. Only in parenthood.
Yea! We found zwieback toast at the grocery store! And she likes it better than the biter biscuits.
First time swinger
What sane kid wants to get into their pack and play? A kid whose brush is inside. A brush that they can no longer live without. **I just realized after reading this again that he brush is n the floor next to her. So I have no clue what she wanted in the pack and pay. Oh well.
At the end of feeding time, when she is full she wants to try to feed herself. This always means an even bigger mess but she gets such a kick out of it.
See the brush she is dragging around? It's our new favorite thing. Between the brush and the shampoo bottle I have no idea why we buy toys. Question for other parents - she loves the thing so much that some of the paint is coming off when she gnaws on it. How do I find out if the paint is toxic? I am nervous to assume that it's fine since nothing seems to be 'fine" anymore.
Future bobbing for Apples champion. This time did not result in a trophy though. It resulted in a face full of soap that she wasn't sure she liked. But we did it again. And again. And again.
Just loving on the shampoo bottle.
See Mom, I have a goatee like Dad.
"Why are you bugging me and why the heck did you bring that camera in the bathroom? Don't you know camera's have NO place in the bathroom?"
Thanking Raja Bell for getting her dog hair all over the baby blanket.
Just a cute picture I couldn't resist including
This is why I am thankful we put corner covers on the table. So Sam could chew on them. And it just occurred to me a I type this that I have no idea what they are made out of and if they are safe for a baby to chew on. Something else on the to do list.
Not only does she want to do this all the time. She thinks it is hysterical. Which of course cracks us up. So there we all are - laughing at a baby chewing on a table. Only in parenthood.
Yea! We found zwieback toast at the grocery store! And she likes it better than the biter biscuits.
First time swinger
What sane kid wants to get into their pack and play? A kid whose brush is inside. A brush that they can no longer live without. **I just realized after reading this again that he brush is n the floor next to her. So I have no clue what she wanted in the pack and pay. Oh well.
At the end of feeding time, when she is full she wants to try to feed herself. This always means an even bigger mess but she gets such a kick out of it.
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